Draft talk with Dominik: Could the Bucs trade down?

The hardest part about any trade is often finding a partner to trade with, something Bucs general manager Mark Dominik undoubtedly knows.

But in the event a team gets the urge to make a draft-night trade for Tampa Bay’s No. 5 overall selection, Dominik will consider their offer with a very open mind.

A trade down – he’s ruled out trading up – is something Dominik would welcome, he said here at the NFL’s owners meetings. Such a move would likely provide additional lower-round picks for the Bucs.

“I really like where we’re at in the draft, picking No. 5,” Dominik said. “I know that we’ll walk out with a good player if we stay at 5. But I’m willing to move back if I feel like the opportunity is there.”

Dominik later added, “If I can move down some, do I? Yes. If I don’t, then I’m happy where we’re going to be at 5.”

There does not appear to be a strong likelihood of this transpiring for an obvious reason: Teams rarely trade up to the top of the draft unless there is considerable value to be had, like a top-flight quarterback who falls a few spots. The top two quarterbacks in this draft, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, are expected to be chosen with the first two picks by the Colts and Redskins, respectively.

But there is an outside chance the Vikings opt not to select USC tackle Matt Kalil with the third overall choice, meaning he could fall to the Bucs at No 5. The Bucs might receive offers for their pick under that unlikely scenario, but they might be tempted to actually select the top offensive lineman in the draft, too.

“I wouldn’t rule it out,” Dominik said.

This is at least the second time Dominik has mentioned the possibility of trading down, suggesting maybe he's serious about it.

Either way, we’ll know soon enough. The draft is exactly 30 days away.

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